If you want to stay young at heart (and if the young want their heart to stay), then we are called to a life-long exploration of God’s Word and the treasure of His testimonies.
3 Monthly Events for a Couple's Calendar
As I help young couples prepare for marriage, or older couples work on their marriage, my counseling always includes the need for keeping at least three important events in their monthly calendar. Each of these events helps address an important aspect of marriage, and when done together, can have an exponential effect on your relationship…
Credo: I Believe (Part 1)
The Nicene Creed is not just an historical document, it is a powerful statement of faith to which each Christian must reply, “I believe!” It is not enough just to say, “I believe in (a) God.” In what God specifically do you believe?
Credo: I Believe (Part 2)
Soon after Nicea, questions began to arise of whether the Holy Spirit was actually part of the Godhead. The heretic Arius, who had falsely taught that Jesus was created by the Father, also believed that the Spirit was less than divine. Although it took 50 years, another council was scheduled to settle the matter..
A Dynamic and Challenging Christ
Authors often talk about the difference between creating flat vs. dynamic characters… How about Jesus? Is your view of Jesus flat or dynamic? Have you polished off His rough edges, dressed Him up in a clean robe, and allowed Him only to speak soft soothing sermons? Is this sort of "comfortable" Christ the actual Jesus revealed to us in Scripture?
Making the Most of Interruptions
Do you ever feel like God’s timing is all wrong for your life? Do you feel like He might be delaying too long, and that by the time He does show up to answer your prayers it might be too late? Do you look at your neighbor whose prayers have been answered and wonder, When is God going to visit my home with some blessings?
SING!
Already at 12-weeks old, a baby in the womb has developed vocal cords, and one of the first thing a new born does is to make a “joyful noise” as they come into the world. What a wonderful sound! God has created us to sing. Singing takes place in heaven, and God designed us as creatures to sing.
Is the Church in need of “Always Reforming?”
To be a Protestant, and certainly a Lutheran, is to be a Reformation Christian. We stand on the teachings of the Reformers who returned the church to the Word of God as the only source and norm for doctrine and practice. We are “reformed” in the best sense of the word. Yet it begs the question, is the church still in need of reformation today?
Grace Has a Face
All people have experienced the delight of being invited to the home of a gracious host. Yet, has “grace” devolved to this – a kind act that makes us feel warm inside?
He MAKES me lie down
psalm 23:2 says, "He makes me to lie down in green pastures." in my mind's eye, i have always pictured this verse as a shepherd leading his sheep into the middle of the opening scene of the sound of music. the sky is blue and beautiful. the snow-capped mountains lie in the back ground. the hills upon which they stand are so green and verdant that it makes nuns want to sing and sheep want to sleep. it's picture perfect! yet, here is this alarming verb that shatters such an idyllic scene. the shepherd has to force his sheep to lie down and rest...
come unto me
this, then, is how rest begins: in rediscovering your identity through the gospel.
sometimes spiritual milk is just the right meal
this is my first entry anywhere on my website. technically, my sabbatical doesn't start until after memorial day (may 31). this week is meant for vacation, but i feel the need to catalogue my thoughts and experiences.
i have only had "glimpses" of vacation so far. i've been able to have slower mornings and have found ample time to read. i've already finished my first book on the wright brothers. they were amazing men, and what's more, they were pastor's kids (there is hope for my children!)
yet so far it feels like i have just taken a couple of personal days to go and run some errands. i've had a doctor and an eye appointment, paid bills, drove my mom to dialysis, and helped out a friend who experienced fraud on his credit card. i am not complaining. it's been good to check these off my list, but i sort of imagined lounging by the pool all day and drinking margaritas. perhaps that's in my future ;-)
my goal this week is to unplug and quiet down enough so that i can listen to what's going on inside of me. as i listen to my soul, i realize i am tired. to my surprise, i don't have a hunger for God's word -- at least not yet. i am sure that will come, but after having to prepare so many sermons and bible studies over the past 24 years of ministry, i find that i am not ready to digest a big meal. i am merely satisfying my spirit with the spiritual milk of short devotions and prayer times.
an image comes to mind of Jesus in the wilderness. after being famished for 40 days, the angels came to nurse Him back to health. i guess that's where i am at: sipping for my soul until i am ready for a bigger meal.
instead of ignoring my current state or feeling guilty about it, i am accepting it for what it is. faith is a journey, and some times you need to rest along the road side to recuperate. my Heavenly Father has assured me that He loves me, that i am His son, that His Spirit dwells within me, and that He accepts me because of Jesus. He whispers to my soul, "sip spiritual milk if you must. I AM there in this word meal also. wait upon Me, steven. wait up on me, and I will renew your strength. in My time and according to My grace, you will soar like a bald eagle, run like a kenyan marathoner, and speed walk without growing weary. so wait upon Me, child." (isaiah 40:31)
yes, Lord. i will wait. i will wait upon you, and as i do, i thank you for this small glass of spiritual nourishment.